Special Report to the Storting Document 4:3 (2018–2019) 90 Recommendations The findings presented in this report paint a grave picture of the use of solitary confinement in Norwegian prisons. The findings show that solitary confinement is extensively used, and that there is a significant risk of inhuman or degrading treatment of inmates subjected to solitary confinement. • follow-up off all inmates in solitary confinement in accordance with human rights standards; Since our first prison visits in 2014, we have ­consistently found that the use of solitary confinement in Norwegian prisons gives great cause for concern. We have presented our findings and recommendations to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Ministry of Health and Care Services and subordinate directorates on several occasions. In the ­Parliamentary ­Ombudsman’s opinion, there is a need for more ­extensive changes than the measures the state ­authorities have implemented up till now to ensure that human rights standards are complied with in practice. ›› Submit a proposal for a statutory or regulatory duty to prevent the use of solitary confinement in prisons. In order to ensure that inmates in Norwegian prisons do not suffer isolation that can entail violation of the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Parliamentary Ombudsman recommends the Storting to request that the Government implement the following measures: ›› Prepare a plan for closing down or adapting all prison sections currently not adapted for association between inmates. ›› Ensure reliable and publicly available data on the extent of solitary confinement in Norwegian prisons. ›› Establish a national standard to ensure that inmates have the possibility of associating with others for at least eight hours every day and are offered ­meaningful activities. ›› Amend the provisions of the Execution of Sentences Act to ensure that: • solitary confinement is only used in exceptional cases and for as brief a period as possible; • solitary confinement for 22 hours or more a day is prohibited in situations mentioned in the Nelson Mandela Rules. ›› Strengthen the Correctional Service’s supervisory regime by defining a legal mandate that ensures systematic and regular supervision in accordance with international human rights standards. ›› Ensure that common professional guidelines are drawn up to ensure satisfactory follow-up of inmates in solitary confinement. ›› Revise the national guidelines to health and care services for prison inmates, to ensure that the detrimental effects of isolation are identified and that inmates in solitary confinement receive follow-up. ›› Establish by law that the health service is responsible for following up inmates in solitary confinement, so that inmates who are isolated or excluded from company are followed up by medical personnel on a daily basis. ›› Ensure that the prison health services are provided with a stronger common professional platform, with particular focus on competence relating to inmates’ special health issues, solitary confinement and the detrimental effects of isolation. 91